UPDATE: Fox Ups Order For Multi-Camera Comedy ‘Mulaney’ To 16 Episodes, May Be Done With Comedy Pickups

UPDATED: Fox has made its first episodic comedy order this pre-upfront week, but it didn’t go one of its pilots. Instead, the network has ordered 10 more episodes of Mulaney, its multi-camera ensemble comedy created by and starring John Mulaney. And I hear that, with three comedy series — New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Mindy Project –already renewed for next year, and three straight-to-series new half-hours, Mulaney,Last Man On Earth starring Will Forte (for midseason) and Weird Loners starring Becki Newton on deck, the network might not be picking up any comedy pilots to series, or if it does, it may be as few as just one. Fox brass have not been particularly high on this season’s batch of pilot unlike the drama pilots, which all got to series. The order to Mulaney is an indication of that. Of the comedy pilots, Sober Companion is considered a front-runner, with Cabot College in the running and Dead Boss also in the mix.

Mulaney originated as a pilot at NBC last season. After NBC passed last May, Fox took in the project for redevelopment and in October picked it up to series with a straight-to-series six-episode order. Jon Pollack was brought in as showrunner. There were minor casting changes, and a new pilot episode was shot, directed by Andy Ackerman. It screened along with Fox’s regular pilots and was very well received, leading to the supersizing of the order.

Mulaney, from Universal TV, Broadway Video and 3 Arts, centers on a rising stand-up comic (Mulaney) trying to take his career to the next level and the friends and mentors who lift him up, hold him back and push him around. Martin Short co-stars as the boss, and Elliott Gould, Nasim Pedrad, Seaton Smith and Zack Pearlman round out the cast. Mulaney is exec produced by Lorne Michaels, David Miner, Dave Becky, Jon Pollack, Andrew Singer and Ackerman.

Don’t tell me FOX is actually considering NOT picking-up “Cabot College”?! (even with the series commitment behind!). They prefer giving 16 episodes to a show that has proven nothing yet instead of trying both?

Trent • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

I’m more worried about Sober Companion and Dead Boss. Cabot College seemed a little juvenile for my taste. And the casting was way off. I mean, Fortune Feimster as a three-sport athlete? And that’s ignoring the fact that she’s obviously in her 30s.

Trolls begone, you don’t know what good writing is. Cabot and Caspe were funniest of this years crop.

Jasper • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Wrong. Cabot was puerile and Caspe can’t write. Nice try!

Jarless • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Did you actually read “Cabot College”? It made DADS look like Moliere.

chaz • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

you may not like Cabot College, but i did. either way nothing can make DADS look like anything but DADS (which is shit). Even if Cabot College were order and turned out badly, it wouldn’t be in the same universe of bad as DADS.

Actually, I found it very fresh, different from all the other multicameras these days. Yes, a little too juvenile but it’s really funny, with plenty of new faces, an original premise…

Johnny Foxalot • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Great pick ups on the drama side. Mulaney could be good and I hear the Forte one is awesome. Now Fox just needs to pick up Enlisted and they look like badasses. But seriously do we ever SEE Batman…?

Alex • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Ugh what about DEAD BOSS?

Grant • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

John Mulaney is very, very funny, but I’m a bit nervous about this show. I hope it’s great!

J.M. • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Don’t be nervous Grant, it’s fantastic!

Davis • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

The drama of MULANEY will consist of betting on how many episodes it will take for Elliott Gould to leave the show.

Welcome to 1961 • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

True. But Gould’s Oscar will team up meet Rooney’s Mr. Yunioshi in their new show “Neighbor from Outdated Stereotype Hell”.

Wait and see • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Fox done with comedy pickups…if you don’t count whatever they take from NBC’s rejects this year. There’s a few they’d be lucky to get.

Ian • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Please tell me this means “Dads” is dead.

JtotheK • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Does Mindy Kaling have a picture of Reilly slapping a baby? How does her awful show keep getting picked up?

Jasper • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

He only picked up Season 3 for 15 episodes. Not the biggest vote of confidence.

Ed • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Sharon Horgan can’t catch a break in the US.

Trent • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Cabot College is not an original premise. Been done 14 years ago. By Fox, in fact. Opposite Sex, starring Milo Ventimiglia. Three guys become the first male students at an all female high school. Not a college, but might have well as been. One of the best soundtracks ever.

And yes, Kaling most likely has some compromising pictures of Reilly.

Margo • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

The real funny “Dead Boss” is something we can all relate to since most of us have had that dream where we kill our boss…right? Let’s put something on that’s funny and people can relate to.

mark • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

I’ve seen the first six episodes of Mulaney (the original series order) and they’re hilarious. John is the first to admit he’s not an actor, but the episodes are getting better, they’re experimenting with more out-of-the-box styles and the cast is fantastic. The show would do well to take on a slightly more serialized nature.

AA • on May 6, 2014 6:15 pm

Mark! You’re full of it since they’ve taped only 5 episodes of the original order. The last episode was supposed to be taped at the end of march but they canceled it. Also other reviews on internet claim something else: Nasim Pedrad plays sitcom girl whining about her dates, Elliott Gould is playing a stereotypical gay guy and the writing is formulaic! Have some shame!